I found this on Yahoo.

If you're like most people, you get a new toothbrush every six months, but you really should be changing your toothbrush more often, like every three to four months. When the bristles get worn and lose their rigidity, they don't remove plaque as well. But you should also do some maintenance within that three months, when your toothbrush is just sitting out in the open. After all, think about all the germs and bacteria floating around that would love to attach themselves to your moist toothbrush.

So to prevent colds, flu, and other sicknesses, Reader's Digest recommends that once or twice a week you run your toothbrush through the microwave on high for 10 seconds immediately before brushing. If someone in your home is sick, you may want to sterilize it in the microwave each time you brush. If you're the one who's sick, after the illness passes, ditch your old toothbrush and replace it with a new one.

I use a Sonicare.

yes, very often

I had a Sonicare and loved it til it died last year. I've resorted to using the Crest spin brush and will run very HOT water over it before even brusing my teeth.

wow , i dont kill germs before i brush . i just run it under water to wet it , yikes , but ill start this concept quickly!

Fancy.

Me to. I change the head out when it gets warn down but its more expensive than a toothbrush so you dont change quite as often. There is also a plastic shield that goes over the bristles which hopefully protects it a little but who knows. I guess it would depend just how evolved the bacteria in your lavatory have become.

I've never heard of microwaving a toothbrush before.

Me, too. But..I have heard of throwing the toothbrush away after you've been sick.

ssssssshhhh...
leave me alone!!!

im microwaving my toothbrush!!!!

Will it melt? Some microwaves are quite high powered. I can see this developing into a strange situation rather quickly.

Ding. 10 seconds are up!

Anyone who kinda/sorta knows me here...knows I'm kinda/sorta (well, REALLY) OCD about brushing my chompers.

Therefore, I have one of those fancy dancy spinner, scrub the snot outta your teefies, electronic suckers. I change the "brusher" part about once every month (two months MAX, if I'm slack).

I carry at least two regular toofie brushes in my purse at all times (one semi-used, one NEW).

I guess I would microwave my toothbrushes...if I were as OCD about cleaning my microwave as I am about changing my toothbrushies.

I've run it under HOT HOT water before, but I can't imagine 10 seconds of microwaving could kill bacteria. Who is this expert???
Hey, if I have a bleach tablet in my toilet, should I swirl the toothbrush in the toilet instead????

Yup. They have to be the most expensive tooth brushes out there but they last a long time.

Ewwwwwww.

many such test have been run on this agenda check with 20/20 hey did a test of this and the results were that if it hasn't made you sick over the years there is no real concern - have anyone hear ever had a sickness that was attributed to their tooth brush? but i do think its a good idea to get a new brush after you've been sick, also its good to mic, your sponges in the kitchen every week or any other microwaveable items use for cleaning dishes and put the seat down on your toilet when you flush to stop the micro dispersions from floating around in the bathroom.

But...how do you keep them clean?

I was wondering the same thing. I guess 10 seconds shouldn't hurt it.

I've heard not to put toothbrushes on a shelf over the toilet because when you flush, the bacteria will rise to the toothbrush.